POLICE will intervene at the earliest sign of trouble between rival fans at Sunday's derby game between Norwich City and Ipswich Town, a senior officer has said.

POLICE will intervene at the earliest sign of trouble between rival fans at Sunday's derby game between Norwich City and Ipswich Town, a senior officer has said.

Supt Carl Heffer, of Norfolk police, said officers at the Carrow Road clash would be operating an "early intervention policy" — stepping in and arresting fans at the earliest sign they are drunk or disorderly.

Spotters from Norfolk and Suffolk police will be posted at turnstiles to keep an eye out for known troublemakers and officers will keep a high profile presence in the city before and after the clash.

Around 2,000 Ipswich supporters are expected to travel to Norwich for the sellout game.

Kick off is at 1pm, leaving shorter drinking time before the match, but police will have to contend with large numbers of fans staying in the city centre to watch televised coverage of the Worthington Cup final between Liverpool and Manchester United, which finishes after the derby.

The arrangements are to be almost a mirror image of those put in place for September's meeting between the two sides at Portman Road.

On that occasion, more than 300 officers were on duty for the sellout clash, including 25 from Norfolk.

This time, the bulk of officers will obviously be from Norfolk, but Suffolk Constabulary will be sending up a contingent.

As at Portman Road, officers from the British Transport Police and mounted police officers from Nottinghamshire will be helping out.

But the club will be treating the game the same as other fixtures.

A spokesman said: "There will be no extra stewards for the derby game, just the usual 280 for the game. If there was a match were there were going to be extra police we would still have the same amount."

Mr Heffer said the watchwords for the police operation were "firm but fair".

"The police operation will be similar to that carried at Portman Road," he added.

"We will be firm but fair to ensure that decent law-abiding supporters can fully support their teams.

"We will deal with fans that are drunk or disorderly towards any person whether it is other supporters or officers, firmly but fairly.

"There will be an early intervention policy by officers outside as well as inside."

Suffolk officers will be on hand for as long as they are required, Mr Heffer added.